Mower



A ril 1, 1941. R. s. KINKEAD MOWER .WQJ flu mm R Q am ma 9 R. NM

2 0%. [1 fin V Q A F i RW mm v m 2 m mm m g E 6 d w w 2 m K wm @m 6 aw mm i 2 mm @3 a Q, &w m M V a Q g g m @m m o \a 00 mm o w 42 @Q m l I Q 6 3 o n3 0 2 hW L" w: 93 $2 Patented Apr. 1, 1941 OFFICE I Mowm Robert s. Kinkead, St. Paul, Minn.

Application October 15, 1938, Serial No. 23547 7 Claims.

My invention relates to mowers of the sickle type and has for an object to provide an extremely simple and practical construction by means of which vegetation may be readily cut by power.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a mower which is easily handled and manipulated.

An object of the invention resides in providing a. mower in which the power unit frame is connected to the mower solely at one end of the sickle and the power unit and traction wheel disposed rearwardly of the sickle and intermediate the ends thereof so as to cause a resistance due to cutting on one side of the traction wheel to partially or completely balance the resistance due to cutting on the other side of the traction wheel, whereby the mower may be caused to travel in a desired direction without appreciable, lateral effort, and whereby the mower is completely free at one end to prevent accumulation of cut vegetation on any portion of the power unit or frame and prevent continuous operation thereof.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the power unit frame with an off-set e frame member connected at one end to the sickle frame at a locality laterally of the center of the sickle and preferably near the end thereof and extending toward the center of the sickle at its free end and in mounting the traction wheel and power unit on said frame at a locality intermediate the ends of the sickle and at a distance inwardly from the end of the sickle to which the frame is attached suflicient to reduce the lateral effort required to maintain the mower in its desired-course to a suitable degree.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mower an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a portion of the mower shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

illustrating Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Y

My invention comprises a cutting mechanism which I have indicated in its entirety by the reference character A and a power unit B which operates the same. The cutting mechanism A includes a frame C which is constructed with a transversely extending frame member l2. The power unit B is mounted on a frame D which is connected to the frame C laterally of the center thereof. The frame D is partly supported through a supporting wheel I I mounted thereon. A power transmission E drives the wheel I! and also the cutting mechanism A. These various parts will now be described in detail.

The frame C of cutting mechanism A, as stated, includes a transversely extending frame member I2 which is constructed in the form of a rectangular bar. All of the parts of the cutting mechanism including the sickle proper are carried by this bar.

The cutting mechanism A includes a sickle l3 which comprises a number of sickle sections. or cutters M which are arranged adjacent one another and which are riveted or secured to a sickle bar designated by the reference numeral I5. The

sections M are constructed V-shaped in forma tion to leave V-shaped notches l6 therebetween into which the grass or vegetation to be cut may enter. The edges [1 of the sickle sections are sharpened so that said edges serve to cut the vegetation when the sickle is reciprocated.

Attached to the under side of the frame member I2 are a number of pointed guards 18 which are secured to said frame member by means of rivet 19. These guards are provided with slots 2| through which the cutters or sickle sections I4 may pass. The said guards have attached to them cutter plates 22 on which the sickle sections rest and which cooperate with said sickle sections to cut the vegetation entering the notches IS. The sickle I3 is held in proper contact with the plates 22 by means of a number of clips 23 which are riveted to the frame member 12 by means of rivets 26. These clips have fingers 24 which overlie the sickle sections or cutters M and hold the same in contact with the cutter plates/'22. The sickle 'bar I5 is further guided by means of shoulders 25 formed on the clips 23 and which engage said sickle bar at the rearward edge thereof.

The cutting" mechanism A further comprises two shoes 21 and 28, best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These shoes are formed with runners 29 which rest upon the surface over which the mower travels, said runners having upturned portions 3| at their forward ends. The shoes 21 and 28 are bolted to the frame member l2 by means of bolts 32 which extend jointly through the rearward portions of said shoes and the said frame member. For holding the shoes properly spaced thereto by means of bolts 1 7 includes a base 63 which is bolted which are mounted I the vertical frame 1 attached to the end of the axle movement. A brace 13 welded to portion of the frame member 4| 2 with reference to the frame member I2, spacer sleeves 33 are employed which are disposed between said shoes and frame member and encircle the bolts 32. The forward portions of the shoes 21 and 28 have secured to them rearwardly disposed extensions 34 which engage the end guards I8 of the cutting mechanism and assist in holding the shoes from lateral movement at, the forward ends of the same. If desired, the elevation of the shoes 21 and 28 may be varied by using different height spacer sleeves 33.

The frame D consists of a rearwardly extending frame member 36 which is constructed from a plate of sheet material, elongated in form and offset at its rearward end, as designated at 31. The forward end 38 of this frame member underlies the frame member I2 of frame A and is secured thereto by means of bolts 39. The off-set portion 31 of the frame member 36 has secured to it a vertically extending frame member 4|. This frame member has upper and lower flanges 42 and 43, the lower flange resting upon the offset portion 31 of frame member 36 and being bolted 44. The frame member 4| has secured to the flange 42 thereof, a horizontally extending frame member 46 which is bolted thereto by means of bolts 41. This frame member is in the nature of a plate or table and supports the power unit B. A brace 58 (Fig. 3) welded to the frame member 4| braces the table 46. superimposing the frame member 36 is a tubular frame member 48 which extends rearwardly from the sickle A and which is raised above the frame member 36. This tubular frame member has welded to it two brace 5| and 52, the brace 52 being secured to the vertical frame member 4|. For; this purpose the vertical frame member 4| is constructed with a vertically extending flange 53 which the brace 52 overlies. The said brace is attached to the said flange by means of bolts 54. The brace 52 is constructed with an ear 55 which projects outwardly therefrom, and which overlies the frame member 36. This car is bolted to the said frame member 36 by means of a bolt 56. The brace 5| is constructed with a flange 51 which overlies the frame member I2. Bolts 39 extend jointly through said flange and frame member and also the forward end 38 of the frame member 36. These bolts hold the various parts rigidly attached to one another.

The power unit B consists of a gasoline engine 58 which is provided with a crank shaft 59, operated in the usual manner from the piston and crank of the engine. ther includes a gasoline tank 6| which delivers gasoline to a carbureter 62 from which the gasoline is delivered to the engine. The engine 58 to the plate or table 46 by means of bolts 65. The engine is so situated thatthe crank shaft 59 thereof extends parallel to the sickle bar I5.

The mower is supported rearwardly of the cutting mechanism A by means of the supporting wheel II, previously referred to. This wheel is preferably a rubber-tired wheel constructed with a stub axle 61 rigidly secured to the web thereof. The axle 61 is rotatably journaled in bearings 68 in an axle housing 69. The axle housing 69 extends through and is welded to member 4|. A spur gear 1| 61 by means of 61 from endwise the uppermost and to the axle a set screw 12 holds the axle The said power unit furhousing 69 stiifens the entire construction and causes the single supporting wheel 66 to rigidly support the mower. The table 46 extends toward the center of the cutting mechanism A and the tubular axle housing 69 likewise extends in the same direction so that the wheel 66 is disposed inwardly of the ends of the cutting mechanism A and the weight of the power plant B is likewise disposed intermediate the ends of the said cutting mechanism.

The power transmission E comprises a stub shaft 16 which is rigidly attached to a boss 16 formed on the frame member 4|. Rotatably mounted on this stub shaft is a sheave 11 which has attached to it a spur pinion 18. A belt 19 passes over the sheave 11 and over another sheave or pulley 8| secured to the crank shaft 59 of engine 58. The spur pinion 18 meshes with a spur gear 82 which is rotatably mounted on another stub shaft 83, secured to the frame member 4| in the same manner as shaft 15. Gear 82 has secured to it a spur pinion 84' which meshes with the gear 1| on axle 61. The various gears 18, 82, 84 and 1| are so arranged that the wheel I| travels at a greatly reduced speed.

The sickle I3 is operated in the following manner: The tubular frame member 48 forms a housing in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 86. This shaft is Journaled in bearings mounted in said housing but which have not been shown in the drawings. welded or otherwise secured to it a depending arm 81 which has pivoted to it, by means of a rivet 88, a block 89. Block 89 is slidably mounted in a slot 92, formed in a lug 9|, secured to the sickle bar I5. As the shaft 86 oscillates, arm 81 swings back and forth and the sickle I3 is operated in the customary manner. The rearward end of the shaft 86 has secured to it a laterally extending arm 93. This arm has secured to it a stud 94 formed with a ball 95 at the end of the same. Ball 95 is pivoted for universal movement in a socket 96 formed in the end of a connecting rod 91. A similar socket 98, formed at the other end of said connecting rod, receives a ball 99 formed on a stud I88 similar to the stud 94 is held attached to the .steered by means of the same.

which latter stud is attached to the sheave 11. The stud I88 on which ball 99 is formed is eccentrically mounted with respect to the stub shaft 15 so that upon rotation of the sheave 11 the said ball operates as a crank and reciprocates the connecting rod 91. Connecting rod 91 in turn oscillates the arm 93 and causes the sickle I3 to operate.

For controlling the operation of the mower, a handle |8| is employed. This handle inclines rearwardly and is formed with a handle bar I82 extending transversely of the rearward end thereof. Hand grips 183 issue from the ends of said handle bar. The forward end of the handle I8I table plate |84 which is bolted to said table by means of bolts I85. In this manner the handle is rigidly connected to the frame D and the tractor may be The handle I 8| is positioned over the supporting wheel II so that ready control of the mower may be. had.

To stop and start the mower an idler sheave I86 is employed which I81 secured to a lever I88. Lever by means of a bolt I89 attached to engine 58. The other end of the pivoted to it a control rod III which extends rearwardly and upwardly toward the handle bar I82. Mounted for oscillation with respect to the I88 is pivoted a part of the lever I08 has The forward end of shaft 86 has a 46 by means of a I is rotatably mounted on a stud handle bar I02 is a shaft II2 which extends parallel therewith. This shaft is Journaled in two bearings II3 depending from said handle bar. One end of the shaft I I2 has formed on it a hand grip Ill which follows along the hand grip III! on handle bar I02. The other end of this shaft has secured to it a depending arm Hi to which the rearward end of rod III is pivoted. Said rod may be but with an angular portion IIB as shown in Fig. 1 for the purpose. It will readily be comprehended that movement of the hand grip Ill toward the hand grip I03 moves the sheave I06 is a manner to tighten the belt I9 thus affording a drive between the sheave 8| and sheave 11. In this manner the mower may be stopped or started, as desired.

Operating in conjunction with the cutting mechanism A is a deflector I I8. This deflector consists of a vertically extending rod I2I which is welded at its lowermost end to the extension 34 of shoe 28. to form a rearwardly extending deflector member I23, arranged as best shown in Fig. 1. The deflector member I23 has welded to it two braces I25 and I25 which are attached to the engine 58. These braces hold the upper end of the said deflector'member in proper position. In conjunction with the deflector member I23 two other deflector members I 26 and I2! are provided which are welded to the rod I2I. Deflector member I26 is attached to said rod intermediate the ends thereof, while the deflector member I21 is connected to the said rod at the lowermost end thereof. The deflector H8 serves to shift the vegetation cut by the mower toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1 when the mower is operated in the customary manner.

The method of operating my invention is as follows: Engine 58 is started in the usual manner with hand grip H6 released. The engine then idles. By gripping the hand grip I03 and tilting the mower back on wheel II, the mower can be manually manipulated and brought to the position Where cutting is desired. The weight of the cutting mechanism A being heavier than the handle IIJI and attached parts, and due to the fact that the engine 58 is situated forwardly of the axle of wheel II, considerable weight is thrown upon the cutting mechanism A which urges the same toward the ground. This mechanism rests upon the two shoes 2! and 28. When the mower is in proper position if the hand grip I It is raised idler sheave I06 is brought into en,

gagement with the belt I9 and traction between said belt and sheaves 8| and TI is procured. This simultaneously drives the wheel II and operates the sickle I3. The mower now travels along the ground cutting the vegetation in front of the same. As the vegetation'is cut the deflectors I23, I 26 and I21 deflect the vegetation from the right hand side of the cutting mechanism A, as viewed in Fig. 1, past the power unit B. It will be noted that the left hand side of the cutting mechanism is entirely free so that the vegetation cut falls directly in back of the cutting mechanism. Further, it will be noted that there is nothing on which the cut vegetation can lie so that as soon as the vegetation is cut the same is clear of the sickle and cutting mechanism. It will-also be noted that the deflector referred to throws the vegetation toward the clear end of the cutting mechanism so that no vegetation can pile upon the frame member 36. In this manner a clear swath is out of the full width of the sickle. Due to the fact that the wheel I I is disposed interme- Thls rod is bent, as indicated at I22,

diate the ends of the sickle the mower is easily manipulated. I have found that, where the wheel is situated from the center of the cutting mechanism a distance not over one-sixth of the length of the cutting mechanism, steering of the mower is not rendered difllcult. I have also found that, as the supporting wheel is moved beyond this distance, the steering of and manipulation of the mower becomes rapidly more difficult and when the supporting wheel is at one end of the cutting mechanism steering and manipulation is exceedingly diflicult. I have found that the handle for the mower may be placed any-.

wheres from between the center of the cutting mechanism tothe center of the wheel without appreciably changing the ease with which the mower may be manipulated and operated.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. An extremely simple and practical construction has been provided which will perform almost as efficiently and effectively as mowers of two and three times the weight of the instant invention. By means of the specific framework shown, a substantially balanced construction is provided which makes the mower easy to manipulate and handle. With my invention the power unit frame is attached to the frame of the'cutting mechanism at one end thereof so as to leave the remainder of the cutting mechanism free to allow the cut vegetation to readily pass over the same. Through the use of the deflector employed the cut vegetation ahead of the power unit and sup-' porting wheel is deflected laterally thereof and toward the free end of the cutting mechanism so that no obstruction to the free travel of the mower results. By means of the particular drive mechanism employed for the mower, the housing thereof is used as part of the frame and serves to stiffen and reinforce the frame member with which it is associated. My improved mower can be constructed at an extremely low cost.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A mower comprising a sickle and a frame therefor, a rearwardly extending frame member connected to said frame laterally of the center of said sickle, a vertical frame member issuing upwardly from said rearwardly extending frame member, a horizontal frame member connected to the upper end of said vertical frame member, braces connecting said frame members together, a traction wheel carried by said last named vertical frame member, a power unit carried by said last named horizontal frame member, means for driving said traction wheel from said power unit and means for driving said sickle.

2. A mower comprising a sickle and a frame therefor, a rearwardly extending frame member connected to said frame laterally of the center of said sickle, a second rearwardly extending frame member situated above said first named frame member, a vertical frame member issuing upwardly from said first named rearwardly extending frame member, a horizontal frame member connected to the upper end of said vertical frame member, braces connecting said frame member together, a traction wheel carried by said last named vertical frame member, a power unit carried by said last named horizontal frame member, means for driving said traction wheel from said power unit, and transmission means driven from said power unit and extending along said second named frame member for operating said sickle.

3. A mower comprising a sickle and a frame therefor, a single traction wheel disposed rearwardly of the sickle and intermediate the ends thereof, a second frame supported by said wheel and connected to said sickle frame at a single locality laterally of the center of said sickle, a power unit carried by said second frame, a

- deflector connected 'to said sickle frame in proximity to the end thereof at; which second frame is connected thereto, said deflector extending rearwardly and laterally toward said wheel to deflect vegetation out toward the end of the sickle frame opposite from that to which said second named frame is connected and away from said traction wheel and power unit, means for driving said traction wheel from said power unit and means for driving said sickle.

4. A mower comprising a sickle and a frame therefor, a single traction wheel disposed rearwardly of the sickle and in proximity to the center thereof, a second frame supported by said Wheel and connected to said sickle frame solely at one end of the sickle frame, a power unit supported by said wheel, means for driving said wheel from said power unit and means for driving said sickle.

5. A mower comprising a sickle and a. frame therefor, a single traction wheel disposed rearwardly of the sickle and with its medial plane situated within at a locality defined by the center of the sickle frame and a point spaced onesixth of the width of the sickle therefrom, a second frame supported by said wheel and connected by said sickle frame solely at one end of the sickle frame, a power unit supported by said wheel, means for driving the traction wheel from the power unit and means for driving said sickle.

6. A mower comprising a sickle and a frame therefor, a single traction wheel disposed rearwardly of the sickle and in proximity to the center thereof, a second frame supported by said wheel and connected to said sickle frame laterally of the center of the sickle, a deflector carried by one of said frames and connected in proximity to the locality of connection of the second frame to the sickle frame and extending rearwardly and laterally toward said wheel, said deflector serving to deflect-vegetation cut by the sickle toward the end of the sickle frame opposite from that to which said second named frame is connected and away from said traction wheel, means for driving said traction wheel and means for driving said sickle.

7. A mower comprising a sickle and a frame therefor, a single traction wheel disposed rearwardiy of the sickle and in proximity to the center thereof, a second framehaving a rear portion issuing rearwardly from one end of the sickle frame and a lateral portion extending laterally from said rear portion and supported by said wheel, said wheel being disposed entirely on the side of said frame nearest the center of the mower, said second frame being free from the opposite end of the sickle and a power unit supported by said wheel and driving the same, said power plant being disposed above said wheel and largely on the side of said wheel away from the center of the mower.

ROBERT S. KINKEAD. 

